Joe Nieuwendyk, captain of the Calgary Flames for four seasons and all-time leading scorer in club history, played a key role in almost all off-ice charitable and humanitarian efforts put forth by the Flames. His role as one of the leaders included encouraging his teammates to assist with organizations like the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals where he was a spokesman and the Foothills Hospital Foundation where he served as Honourary Chairman, assisting with projects that included both the Burn and NeoNatal Units.